When I saw TV coverage of last weekend’s events in Charlottesville, Va., I had a hard time distinguishing some of the civilians from the police and National Guard.
Some of them arrived in camouflage and riot gear, wearing helmets and protective vests. A few carried guns.
Some of these armed protesters openly identified themselves as “Unite the Right” supporters to reporters on the scene. The allegiance of others was not as clear.
It seemed to me they were spoiling for a fight. And they made sure they got one.